The average personal savings, as a percentage of income, in the United States, has averaged about five percent. To calculate your own personal savings rate, take these steps:
- Total your savings for the year, including non-retirement savings, personal retirement contributions, and employer retirement contributions. The amount could be negative if you took on more debt than the total of your savings.
- Determine your total income by adding your take-home pay (after subtracting income taxes) to the amount your employer contributed to your retirement account.
- Calculate the personal savings rate by dividing (1) by (2).
For additional information on personal savings rates, click here.
Also, to see information about savings rates and other statistics, click here.
Teaching Suggestions
- Have students calculate their person savings rate.
- Have students interview several people to determine actions that are commonly taken to increase a person’s savings rate.
Discussion Questions
- What actions might be taken to increase savings?
- Describe financial difficulties that may occur when a person has inadequate savings.
Melissa Hart
Focus on Personal Finance, 7e 